Friday, April 6, 2012

Fifty-one Minus Fifteen

The difference in that little equation is the number of pages I’ve got left in the first part of my WIP after readers told me I needed to pick up the pace and cut out most of the backstory at the beginning of my book. The criticism didn’t surprise me, but I struggled to make the changes, especially because I am in love with my original first sentence. After sulking for a while though, I decided not to marry it. To do what needed doing, that splendid—I dreamed it up one night— group of words had to be relegated to the beginning of the second chapter, where they currently reside. That line was a great hook, but it wouldn’t do me a bit of good if the following pages were a bunch of bla, bla, bla. And here’s a bit of news. It appears I’m pretty skilled at bla, bla, bla.

One of my readers said something like: “Sometimes I think we write the backstory because as the writer we need to know it. We’re telling ourselves the story.” And I agree. After writing and editing a first draft, I do know the details of the daily existence of these imaginary folks I’ve developed. But a reader doesn’t need all that excess, and to tell you the truth, even my eyes glazed over as I read the blow-by-blow. So, I’m chalking up those fifteen pages, plus the many more that will be chopped, as a worthwhile exercise in character development. Now it’s time to move on to the next lesson.

Repeat after me: Every chapter MUST have action.

Picture me with scissors protruding from my eyes. For the next several days, I’ll be wearing my ruthless cap and cutting out the CR_ P.

Reading this is excellent right now. I am about to jump BACK into writing a novel after saying to myself NEVER AGAIN and I think I needed to read this.... just because writers get so attached to everything they write. It all feels so PERSONAL. When it shouldn't be. Or it can't be. Instead it is this awesome learning experience. So, bravo for you.

Just remember the action doesn't have to always be physical. Sometimes action is the evolvement of the character from one point of thinking to another. Be careful what you cut. I'd hate for you to lose some of the beautiful interiority of the characters.

Oh Liza, You have no idea how much I sympathize...I had to cut over 50K in one of my novels and I thought it would break my heart (and my spirit). When it comes right down to it, it's a matter of mind set. We do fall in love with our words and cutting might feel almost like a betrayal at first, but once you can wrap your mind around the concept of 'slashing', it can be very freeing. Once you see the benefit to the whole story, you will have grown as a writer.

The most important thing is to not give up! And know that your story is REALLY good!

Oh, it isn't easy letting of some beloved passage. But it's great when it fits somewhere else. The whole process is exhausting, as you know, and as I found out as I worked for MONTHS with my editors. But it does sound like you're making great progress, and getting great input. I'm looking forward to reading the finished product!Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs

About Me

Opportunity arrives unexpectedly. When corporate financial circumstances forced the elimination of my position after 23 years, it was as if someone shook a carbonated bottle—the next day Middle Passages bubbled out. This blog contains it all—my reinvention, the joy as I encounter my surroundings—even pictures of my subject matter, so you can judge the results. Above all, Middle Passages serves as a platform through which I'm teaching myself to use words to their maximum potential. I’d love to hear your thoughts.